"The love that lasts the longest is the love that is never returned."
               -William Somerset Maugham

Misha's POV:

"What is all this noise about? Is there any function next door?" I asked Mom as there's a hell of a lot of noise from our neighbors. Vehicles coming and going, people chatting loudly, children screaming all around the ground, and laughs of aunties are all I have been hearing since this morning.

"Aarti's husband and in-laws are here to take her back home," Mom answered. Aarti is my neighbor since the past so many years and also a good friend of mine. She married after three days of my marriage. She married the man of her dreams, her boyfriend of four years, unlike me, one-sided love!

"Unlike your husband and in-laws. You can't relate," Mom said further, making me completely numb. Did she really say that? That was savage, and if I were not hurt, I would have really laughed now.

"You are savage," Siddhi commented.

"Mom, you should not say that. I'm here just because I want to spend some time with you," I defended.

"Mishu, this is the last time I'm asking you, is everything alright?" Mom asked in a very serious tone. I knew she was worried, and now that has turned into anger.

"Yes, it is. Can't I spend some time with my mom? My family?" I asked, making her emotional. To avoid further questions, it was the only way I had, though I felt guilty for that, but can't help. I can't tell her the truth.

"Okay. So you want to spend time with me, your mom, because you missed me, right?" She asked, and I nodded immediately.

"If I'm not mistaken, you call yourself as Isha's mother, right? So isn't she missing her mom? Aren't you missing your little daughter?"

Okay, I got nothing to say now.

I kept my head down, trying not to look at her because I knew once I meet her gaze, I will start crying. Of course, I miss my little daughter. We haven't spent much time together, but all that time I spent with her is precious to me.

"Are you going to say what has happened to you?"

"There's nothing like you think, Mom." I replied in a cracked voice.

"Fine. I'm calling Varun now!" She said and immediately got up from her seat. No, I can't let it happen.

"Mom, please don't." I said, running behind her. However, I didn't have to run far because she herself stopped hearing our doorbell ring. God bless whoever is on the other side of the door.

Mom glared at me and went to open the door. I was definitely stunned to see the person standing there, my mother-in-law! Is she here to take me back? Whatever it may be, I was happy that she brought Isha with her, my little baby.

"What a pleasant surprise, Mishu didn't tell me you are coming," Mom said and looked at me. I wish I knew she was coming.

"Not her mistake. I didn't inform her. However, now I'm here to take my daughter back," Mom said, looking straight at me. My heart melted the second she said 'my daughter,' but that won't change the fact that it's because of her I'm in this situation.

"Of course," my mom giggled and welcomed both of them, whereas I stood there like a statue, not knowing what to do next. As Mom entered, she handed Isha to me, and I ran her hand through my head.

"We missed you," she said, and then Mom took her inside, making her sit comfortably. I hugged Isha, kissing her cheeks and tiny hands.

"I missed you so much, my baby," I said, hugging her. I was expecting her to hug me back, but no, she pulled my hair.

"Haha, very good," Siddhi said, coming towards us.

"Shut up and come with me. I need to talk," I said and took her to the kitchen. Before starting our talk, I made her serve water, juice, and some snacks for Mom.

"What should I do now?" I asked as soon as I saw her entering.

"Hand her to me; she is so cute," she replied. Idiot. I did as she said.

"Happy? Now tell me what to do?" I demanded.

"Come on Misha, your mother-in-law is here to take you; aren't you going with her? Of course, you should."

"What about Varun?" Varun won't be happy to see me there again. That's the only reason I don't want to go, otherwise even I'm dying to go back."

"Talk to his mother. She will help you," she replied. Help? The person who lied to me is now going to help me?

"I know what you are thinking, but please, for once, try to think from her side. Maybe there were some serious reasons that made her lie. Ask her and sort it out instead of staying silent. Haven't you heard, 'communication is necessary to clear any misunderstanding'?"

"Okay. I guess I will talk with her before going. You keep watch on mommy; I don't want her to suspect anything."

"Done," she said, giving me a thumbs up.

"By the way, who takes care of her?" Siddhi asked, referring to Isha.

"Mostly Varun; the rest of the time, Mom or Janvi," I replied, still thinking about how I am going to talk.

"Should I design a dress for her?" She asked excitedly. She is a fashion designer by profession, and I have taken enough advantage of it. I always make her design the clothes I wish to wear; even my wedding dress was designed by her.

"I would have loved that, but Varun won't allow," I replied and saw Isha getting all excited and smiling. Wow, just hearing his name makes her so happy; I wonder if she will ever get this happy hearing my name!

"Very arrogant man he is," she said and went out of the kitchen before I could have defended him.

Whatever, as Siddhi said, I should definitely talk and solve everything instead of staying silent and ignoring. I have hurt her enough, and now I feel guilty for that. My parents didn't raise me like this; how did I even become so rude?

I went out and saw both of them chatting happily, and on the other hand, Siddhi was clicking selfies with Isha, teaching her different poses. Isha is already a photogenic person; Siddhi will not have to work hard for it.

"She is here," my mom said as she saw me. I went and sat beside her.

"You both talk; till then, I will prepare coffee for you guys," Mom said and went away. I looked at Siddhi as she encouraged me to speak further.

"Please come back. Everyone misses you there."

"Varun does?" I asked as soon as I heard her sentence. I felt completely stupid of myself for asking that. He doesn't, and he never will!

"I'm sorry," I said looking sideways.

"I'm sorry beta. I know what I did was wrong, but trust me, there are some reasons which made me do it. I didn't have any bad intention behind it," she said almost like pleading, and

I really felt ten times more guilty.

"Mom

, please, please don't say sorry. Please," I requested. After that, I asked her about the reasons why she lied to me for which she replied that she wanted her son to be happy again, a good mother for Isha, and she trusted me. Although I felt like she was lying and there is something more, I didn't ask her further.

"I'm even sorry about everything Varun did or said to you. Janvi told us everything," she said, and I remembered the night where Varun said all those hurtful words to me.

"He is broken-hearted; he is short-tempered, but please don't give upon my son, please I beg you," she pleaded again.

"Mom, please don't cry. I'm not angry with you, not anymore. Please don't apologize to me," I said and wiped her tears.

"I won't; I won't give upon him. I promise."

"Now please don't cry, Mom doesn't know anything of this. I don't want to make her worried," I said as I saw her coming towards us with two coffee mugs.

"You both have your coffee; I will pack my bags," I said and began to leave. I was going upstairs when I heard a phone ring. I looked towards the table and figured that it was Mom's phone, and Janvi was calling. I handed it to her and walked further, but was again stopped when I heard mom gasp.

"What? when? Is he okay?" She asked in a panicked voice.

"Okay okay. I'm coming," she said and disconnected the call. By now my heart was hammering against my chest; Mom's face clearly said that something wrong has happened.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Varun fell from the stairs."
                        

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